The oldest operating water balance cliff funicular in the United Kingdom.

The arrival of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1861 created in influx of visitors to Saltburn.  Saltburn Pier was opened in May 1869, however, access to the pier was difficult from the town via the steep cliff, so a cliff hoist was created and opened in 1870. The passengers then descended 120 feet (37 m), after water had been added to or taken away from a counterbalance tank.  The hoist was demolished in 1883 and replaced with the funicular construction we see today.

The Cliff Lift  was built at a height of 120 feet and a track length of 207 feet, with a 71% (1:1.4) incline. The two 12-person cars are each fitted with a 240-gallon water tank, and run on parallel funicular railway tracks.

Double steel wire ropes are attached to both cars, controlled by a brakeman based in the upper station.

The car at the top has its water tank filled up and it then travels down counterbalanced by the other car.  When the car reaches the bottom, its water is run out, and pumped back up to the top of the cliff.

(Looking for other quirky sights, such as the Vampire Rabbit of Newcastle? Click here)

Video of Saltburn Cliff Lift

Where

Saltburn Cliff Tramway
Lower Promenade
Saltburn
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